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Travelers from four war-torn kingdoms congregate at the edge of a fearsome storm, following a divine invitation emanating from deep within the Ethersea.

—MaxFun Summary


Ethersea is the sixth campaign of The Adventure Zone, and the fourth primary season of the show.

Premise[]

Travelers from four war-torn kingdoms - the Hominine, the Einarr, the Southern Archipelago, and the Delmer - congregate at the edge of a fearsome storm, following a divine invitation emanating from deep within the Ethersea.

The first five episodes of the season form a Prologue, detailing the events leading up to the formation of the city of Founders' Wake in the face of the oncoming storm. These episodes were played using The Quiet Year, a worldbuilding and map-making game by Avery Alder. The maps created by the boys in those episodes can be viewed here.

The subsequent episodes of Ethersea are played using a homebrewed Dungeons and Dragons 5e system, informed by the events of the prologue.

Characters[]

Player Characters[]

Zoox, a tall humanoid made of teal and yellow coral, holds a crossbow and waves. Devo, a slightly shorter humanoid with pale skin, catfish barbels, and purple hair is playing a pan flute and wearing a dark green kilt. In front of them stands Amber Gris, a short, muscular human wearing a blue sleeveless shirt depicting "blink sharks" that reads "Be Ready!", poses with her arms crossed and two translucent green arms -- one arm is cocked and the other is raising its middle finger.

Fanart of Zoox, Devo, and Amber by @allofthenorth.


NPCs[]

Major NPCs[]

Prologue NPCs[]
Campaign NPCs[]

Minor NPCs[]

Antagonists[]

Ships[]

  • The Biggest Baby
  • Dreams of Deborah
  • The Coriolis
  • The Gut Punch

Rules of Ethersea[]

  1. Everybody's got a knife.
  2. There's a hole for that.
  3. Urchin is never where you need him to be.
  4. Skunknuts Wine goes through you like an ape.
  5. Hominines love homonyms.
  6. Crypto is illegal.

Arcs[]

Prologue[]

The gang plays the Quiet Year and builds the world of Ethersea.

Title Air Date Link Runtime
Ethersea – Prologue I: Our Wasted World May 6, 2021 Listen 1:30:15
Travelers from four war-torn kingdoms congregate at the edge of a fearsome storm, following a divine invitation emanating from deep within the Ethersea. Join us as we build our next campaign while playing The Quiet Year, a brilliant mapmaking game designed and written by Avery Alder.
Ethersea — Prologue II: The Cost of Opportunity May 13, 2021 Listen 1:15:03
Forgotten relics from the past are unearthed and put to use as the shoreside community continues plotting their undersea departure.
Ethersea - Prologue III: The Comfort of Guilt May 27, 2021 Listen 1:04:12
The shoreside community stands divided over their priorities as the storm looms ever closer.
Ethersea — Prologue IV: The Hierarchy of Terror June 10, 2021 Listen 1:09:22
New dangers loom over the shoreside community as the rest of the mortal world retreats from the storm.
Ethersea — Prologue V: The Weight of History June 24, 2021 Listen 1:53:51
Winter arrives. The shoreside community begins the arduous process of migrating to their new undersea home. A suspiciously dormant kingdom plays its final, cataclysmic hand. Our Prologue draws to a close.

The Gallery Job[]

The gang tries to get a job with the Blue Span Contractors

Title Air Date Link Runtime
Ethersea – Episode 1 July 8, 2021 Listen 1:25:55
A Finner, an Orator, and a Brinarr walk into a bar. Well, first they walk into a job interview, and it doesn't go so great, so THEN they walk into a bar.
Ethersea – Episode 2 July 22, 2021 Listen 1:01:40
Three prospective contractors for the Bluespan Brokerage embark on their first, questionable voyage in the waters surrounding Founder’s Wake. A lucrative, outrageously spicy opportunity presents itself along the way.
Ethersea – Episode 3 August 5, 2021 Listen 1:28:07
The Gallery Job: Part Three A brief diversion during their first undersea voyage has proven to be far more arduous (and far more dangerous) than our heroes initially expected. A race for the prize breaks out with a new, well-armed competitor.
Ethersea – Episode 4 August 12, 2021 Listen 1:10:21
As one crisis interrupts another, the Dreams of Deborah’s plucky crew must weigh their priorities. A Brinarr precariously teeters on the brink of death.
Ethersea – Episode 5 August 19, 2021 Listen 1:16:50
Our three intrepid Etherseafarers have survived their first gig, though, boy howdy, it was a close one. With Lux in hand, they go shopping for a gently used ship to call home.

Undersea Interlude 1[]

Title Air Date Link Runtime
Ethersea – Episode 6 August 26, 2021 Listen 1:00:01
Our heroes take their new ship to a VERY familiar aftermarket vendor, tacking on a few much-needed improvements. We spend a bit of time talking character classes, and finally come up with a name for the crew’s new vessel!

The Infinite Clam[]

The gang is hired by the Benevolent parish to track down a missing Benefactor Orlean.

Title Air Date Link Runtime
Ethersea – Episode 7 September 2, 2021 Listen 1:11:11
The newly employed crew of the Coriolis take on their first official job with the Bluespan Brokerage. Devo confronts his past as he crosses paths with the leaders of the Benevolent Parish.
Ethersea – Episode 8 September 9, 2021 Listen 1:05:10
The Coriolis is visited by an inscrutable little guy whose name definitely does not appear on the manifest. They reach their destination in the Phytal Flats, and then things go very south, very quickly.
Ethersea – Episode 9 September 16, 2021 Listen 1:11:57
The heroes fend off a curious lionfish while getting their bearings within a curious bivalve. A slapdash infiltration brings them face-to-face with the Super Captain. We all love the Super Captain!
Ethersea – Episode 10 September 30, 2021 Listen 1:05:49
A surprising revelation about their enlarged environment sends Amber on a trip down memory lane. Unstable energies further discombobulate the Coriolis crew’s sense of scale.
Ethersea – Episode 11 October 7, 2021 Listen 1:02:30
The crew of the Coriolis approach the anomaly that has trapped them in their current bivalve environ. Amber takes a dive. Devo exercises surprising restraint. Zoox experiences a metaphysical identity crisis.
Ethersea – Episode 12 October 14, 2021 Listen 1:04:57
Amber, Devo and Zoox face off against foes both tangible and cerebral, within and without, ancient and new. The Infinite Clam’s power is harnessed at great cost.

Undersea Interlude 2[]

Title Air Date Link Runtime
Ethersea – Episode 13 October 21, 2021 Listen 1:01:40
With their first proper mission under their belt, the crew of the Coriolis attempt a series of negotiations with mixed results. A night at the Cloaca forges new friendships, while morning at the Gills forges new ... enemyships.

The Abyssal Auction[]

The gang is hired by Ol' Joshy to attend a clandestine auction.

Title Air Date Link Runtime
Ethersea – Episode 14 October 28, 2021 Listen 53:41
The crew of the Coriolis take on a new mission, one that exchanges the slimy hazards of enormous mollusks for the slimy hazards of good old-fashioned capitalism. Let’s have a money fight!
Ethersea – Episode 15 November 4, 2021 Listen 1:20:50
After an unfortunate journey, the Coriolis arrives at a fancy, clandestine deep sea auction house. Time to do what exactly one-third of this party is good at: Shmoozing the room.
Ethersea – Episode 16 November 11, 2021 Listen 1:00:24
Let the money fight commence! As our turquoise heroes bid to claim their quarry, their opponents move against them, mostly because of the many terrible impressions they made in the previous episode.
Ethersea – Episode 17 November 18, 2021 Listen 56:28
Following a tense exchange of money and merchandise, all heck has broken loose. Can the auction’s bidders survive an assault from within — and without?
Ethersea – Episode 18 November 25, 2021 Listen 1:13:14
The Coriolis crew collect their winnings — among other things — and begin their extraction from a doomed deep sea marketplace. A slight complication: The deep sea marketplace is trying to doom them as well.
Ethersea – Episode 19 December 2, 2021 Listen 57:33
With the auction house’s security systems thwarted, the facility’s survivors attempt a hasty retreat. Zoox does what Zoox does best: Networking with unidentified, dangerous sea life.

Undersea Interlude 3[]

Title Air Date Link Runtime
Ethersea – Episode 20 December 9, 2021 Listen 59:15
The crew of the Coriolis returns from another pseudo-successful mission to gather up their earnings. Unknown collateral damage surfaces, and initiates a series of most unfortunate events.
Ethersea – Episode 21 December 16, 2021 Listen 1:16:35
Zoox, Devo and Amber take care of some personal business before the start of their next mission. Zoox learns about his birthday. Amber catches up with an old friend. Devo secures an unexpected modeling contract.

Cambria's Call[]

Title Air Date Link Runtime
Ethersea – Episode 22 January 7, 2022 Listen 1:03:38
A once-vanquished threat descends upon Founder’s Wake, shaking the city’s fragile foundation to its core. A lost hero is called back into action. A voice beckons from beneath the ocean’s floor. The Coriolis crew gets sidelined.
Ethersea – Episode 23 January 13, 2022 Listen 1:12:20
Founder’s Wake has been transformed. As Devo and Amber adjust to their new piscine features, Finneas Cawl seeks to further reawaken his memories. A search for contraband reagents begins.
Ethersea - Episode 24 January 20, 2022 Listen 1:00:03
A completely unnecessary bar fight has broken out at an otherwise quiet marshland bar and grill. As Devo and Zoox clean up their mess, Amber chases down a former friend-turned-smuggler.
Ethersea - Episode 25 January 27, 2022 Listen 1:11:23
Amber, Devo and Zoox continue their wild swamp chase to track down Shret. Everyone prepares for a stroll down Memory Lane.
Ethersea - Episode 26 February 3, 2022 Listen 1:11:33
From the bottom of the sea, from the deepest reaches of Finneas Cawl’s mind, a voice beckons. Devo, Zoox and Amber cease to be – all in an effort to answer.
Ethersea - Episode 27 February 10, 2022 Listen 1:23:56
Cambria makes their intentions known as Finneas Cawl’s doomed voyage reaches a grisly end. Zoox does some long overdue soul searching.
Ethersea - Episode 28 February 17, 2022 Listen 1:20:11
The crew of the Coriolis search for every advantage they can get their hands on before challenging the entity at the bottom of the sea. A relic from a long lost empire is unearthed.
Ethersea - Episode 29 February 24, 2022 Listen 0:58:49
Following an unexpected encounter with Amber's sworn foe, the Coriolis arrives at Cambria's deep sea dwelling. Devo, Amber and Zoox whip up an unconventionally stealthy plan of attack.
Ethersea - Episode 30 March 3, 2022 Listen 1:08:15
Zoox, Devo and Amber finally go toe-to-toe with an ancient, evolutionary force, leaning on an uneasy alliance with The Biggest Baby to do so.

The Menagerie[]

Title Air Date Link Runtime
Ethersea - Episode 31 March 17, 2022 Listen 1:00:05
After a period of enjoying their newfound infamy, the crew of the Coriolis take on a mission to recover rare animals which have gone missing.
Ethersea - Episode 32 March 24, 2022 Listen 1:06:17
The Coriolis crew investigates the high-profile bovine burglary they’ve been tasked with solving, bringing them into dangers both interpersonal and spectral.
Ethersea - Episode 33 March 31, 2022 Listen 1:20:08
Devo, Zoox and Amber infiltrate the headquarters of the Crescendo, separately, and with varying levels of success. Devo goes undercover. Zoox boards a familiar vessel. Amber has an unexpected run-in with the wildlife.
Ethersea - Episode 34 April 7, 2022 Listen 1:15:59
The crew of the Coriolis has become just as endangered as the animals they’ve been tasked with recovering. Amber saddles up. Devo unmasks a mastermind. Zoox causes some collateral damage.
Ethersea - Episode 35 April 14, 2022 Listen 1:08:23
Team Coriolis deals with the aftermath of a rash and explosive decision. Zoox sifts through the wreckage. Amber gives ‘em the runaround. Devo confronts the man behind the curtain.
Ethersea - Episode 36 April 21, 2022 Listen 1:21:43
The Coriolis crew race to save the animals from a sinking ship. Amber takes up arms against the hunters. Zoox tests his communication skills. Devo gets some unexpected news.

Undersea Interlude 4[]

Title Air Date Link Runtime
Ethersea – Episode 37 April 28, 2022 Listen 1:00:50
The Coriolis returns from its latest explosive outing, and its crew begins investigating the death of a Founder’s Wake icon. Needless to say, their search for justice rubs some people the wrong way.
Ethersea – Episode 38 May 20, 2022 Listen 1:13:30
Tensions are high after a spirited argument at the Cloaca. A shadowy figure on the periphery of the Coriolis’ view steps into the light, and reveals something that kinda resembles the truth. Also: Shopping!

Benefactor's Folly[]

Title Air Date Link Runtime
Ethersea – Episode 39 May 26, 2022 Listen 1:13:06
The crew of the Coriolis, with Ballaster Kodira in tow, set off to hunt down Benefactor Orlean before his plans come to fruition. As is so often the case, they get thoroughly distracted along the way.
Ethersea - Episode 40 June 2, 2022 Listen 1:26:01
The Coriolis responds to an ear-splitting hail seemingly received from a familiar adversary. The Benefactor’s ruse is revealed, and only Zoox, Devo, Amber and Kodira can stop it. A trio of archnemeses make their final stand.
Ethersea - Episode 41 June 16, 2022 Listen 1:00:28
The Coriolis crew, with Kodira in tow, infiltrate the coral tower to destroy the infernal machine at its peak. Amber is revered. Devo hums a potent tune. Zoox makes a sacred promise.
Ethersea - Episode 42 June 30, 2022 Listen 1:08:51
A draconic coral construct poses the greatest challenge the crew of the Coriolis has ever faced. A long dormant god confronts those who refuse to bend the knee. Friends become foes.
Ethersea - Episode 43 July 14, 2022 Listen 1:42:28
Cracks have formed in the firmament. Past, Present and Future collide, and the Coriolis crew stands at the inflection point. Amber battles an immortal foe. Devo ends the cycle. Zoox transcends form.
Ethersea - Episode 44 July 28, 2022 Listen 1:42:30
Finale: Zoox, Devo, and Amber discover the secrets of their world and others as they plan for the new futures they’ve created, as well as the future of Founder’s Wake.
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